Parking issues continue to plague downtown

October 3, 2013

Raleigh Street Extension was to alleviate downtown traffic, so business downtown can now be bypassed, and now they want to revamp the East Burke Street parking lot. Some of the old downtown businesses left to venture to shopping centers, where parking is free.

Employees of those few downtown businesses who have decided to stay, like banks, lawyers and insurance agencies, are now being forced to leave because of parking. For years they have been competing for the parking spaces in the East Burke parking lot from not only from downtown apartment dwellers but the overflow of train riders, as the Martin Street parking lot is insufficient. If they are paying for the parking permits and cannot find a green top meter, they must pay the meter in addition to the parking permit. And they don't get a vote because they live outside the city limits. And by the way, these are the people who shopped downtown businesses during the day because it was in walking distance of work.

And why draw more people to the downtown area in the evening for a pavilion and ice skating if businesses are closed?

The parking study was done 10 years ago, and a lot has changed. What is the occupancy rate now? What is the occupancy rate without these private parking lots? Private parking at the two banks and a few businesses in that area should not be included in the study, those spots are for clients of those establishments and cannot be used by employees or someone who want to shop downtown. If you leave the lot during the day, it is almost impossible to find permit parking when you return.

What about the liability for a skating rink and pavilion, and additional security in that area?

The parking fund has been running a deficit the past few years (could it be from businesses leaving downtown?) and has a balance of $400,000, which is the first stage of the proposal. That leaves -0- funds to balance the budget the next few years. Of course, renovations would not increase meter fees or fines; another excuse will be used to increase these later, like the parking fund is in the red.

A beautiful picture was proposed to downtown business owners, but what about the people who live and work in the downtown area, they don't get a vote!